I think they are using a federally appointed mediator. Not that it means anything.

You had to know it was headed to this when the players hired Fehr. It is a shame for Bettman b.c he was becoming the best commissioner in all of sports with the resurgence of the NHL after the last lockout. I think that he and the owners are taking a huge hit here no matter who is at fault.

It's already December; even if they agreed today how quickly do they think they can really resume, a couple of weeks?

I guess it really doesn't matter, the regular season really doesn't mean anything in the NHL whatsoever, it's all the playoffs.

But frankly I think a lot of people are finding better ways to spend their time without hockey, and they are in real danger of no one really giving a **** if they cancel the whole season or not.

They can start it up really quickly. Especially when money is involved. The quality of hockey would be terrible for a month or whatever but its hockey.

The mediation isnt going to work. They will pretend they are negotiating in good faith, sit through the mediation and then go back to doing ****.

Its a shame. Fehr is prepared to let the season (and next season) go to waste because he has done a good job of running a smear campaign to make the owners evil. He just had reports out saying the NHL didnt want the Operation Hat trick game on NBC because you know....the NHL hates charity.

Anyway, this mediation is a necessary step for union de-certification which you would remember from the NFL lock out. If they decide to de-certify, then the season is done and youre realistically looking into the lock out effecting the 2013-2014 season which is a death kneel for me. I love the Rangers but I cant deal with thi....nevermind, Im stupid. Ill run back to the league.

Im really feed up with the players union as a whole. Their plan isnt good for long term NHL growth. The only plus towards them is they are negotiating with a group thats known for being huge liars to its fans. 2 WORK STOPPAGES IN A DECADE?!??! So, so frustrating.

It's already December; even if they agreed today how quickly do they think they can really resume, a couple of weeks?

I guess it really doesn't matter, the regular season really doesn't mean anything in the NHL whatsoever, it's all the playoffs.

But frankly I think a lot of people are finding better ways to spend their time without hockey, and they are in real danger of no one really giving a **** if they cancel the whole season or not.

The 94-95 lockout season ended on Jan. 11 and the season started 9 days later. Something like this is the most likely scenario if we are going to see hockey this season at the rate they are going. The cancellation of the 04-05 season was mid Februrary. I haven't lost hope, but if Feb. 1 rolls around with a deal we can pretty much assume there will be no season. It's all a joke.

The only person destroying anything is Gary Bettmann and his 3rd work stoppage in 18 years.

That's what happens when you have a commissioner who didn't grow up loving and breathing the sport he is in control of and feigns his appreciation for the game.

This.

I don't know if the NHL owners understand that no one seems to care that there is no hockey outside of the diehards. The NHL was the #4 major US sports interest before the lockout...the owner's lockout will prove to be a horrible business decision. What I don't understand is why the owners asking for give backs and reductions are the very same owners awarding 10 year player contracts worth tens of millions just a few months ago. WTF

Six owners will represent the league at the meeting, including Jeremy Jacobs of the Boston Bruins, Ronald Burkle of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mark Chipman of the Winnipeg Jets, Jeffery Vinik of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Murray Edwards of the Calgary Flames and Larry Tanenbaum of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The sides have agreed to meeting without most of their representatives. The Players' Association requested that a staff member from each side be present for the meeting. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly will attend, but it is not yet known who the NHLPA will have on hand to represent them.

Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr will not be involved.

The lockout entered its 80th day on Tuesday and games have been cancelled through Dec. 14. It's believed that another round of game cancellations could be announced at some point this week.

I don't know if the NHL owners understand that no one seems to care that there is no hockey outside of the diehards. The NHL was the #4 major US sports interest before the lockout...the owner's lockout will prove to be a horrible business decision. What I don't understand is why the owners asking for give backs and reductions are the very same owners awarding 10 year player contracts worth tens of millions just a few months ago. WTF

Youíre right, no one but the diehards care about the NHL. It is, and will always be a fringe sport in the U.S.
This lockout is all about re-doing the NHL business model because the expansion plan that was initiated by Bettman 10 yrs ago, simply hasnít worked out financially.
As for the contracts handed out like candy, the owners never planned on honoring them anyway.